Tanzania Access to Information Bill, 2015

1

ISSN 0856 - 035X

THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

BILL SUPPLEMENT

No. 1 20th

February, 2015

to the Gazette of the United Republic of Tanzania No.8 Vol. 96 dated 20th

February, 2015 Printed by the Government Printer, Dar es Salaam by Order of Government

THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACT, 2015

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

Section Title

PART I

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

1. Short title and commencement. 2. Application. 3. Interpretation. 4. Objectives of the Act.

PART II

RIGHT TO INFORMATION

5. Right to information. 6. Exempt information.

PART III

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

(a) Obligation to provide information

7. Appointment of information officers. 8. Obligation to keep information. 9. Obligation to publish certain information.

Access to Information Act

________________________________________________________________

2

(b) Procedure for access to information

10. Application for access to information. 11. Notice where access to information is requested. 12. Access to documents other than under this Act.

13. Transfer of request. 14. Refusal of request. 15. Notice to third parties. 16. Deferral of access. 17. Means of accessing information. 18. Use of information.

(c) Review of decisions by information holders

19. Review of decision.

PART IV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

20. Regulations. 21. Fees. 22. Offence of alteration, defacement, blocking or erasure. 23. Protection of a person who makes disclosure. 24. Protection of officers


________________________________________________________________

3

______

NOTICE

_______

This Bill to be submitted to the National Assembly is published for general

information to the public together with a statement of its objects and reasons.

Dar es Salaam, OMBENI Y. SEFUE

3rd

February, 2015 Secretary to the Cabinet

A BILL

for

An Act to provide for access to information; to define the scope of

information the public has the right to access; to promote

transparency and accountability of information holders; and to

provide for other related matters.

ENACTED by Parliament of the United of Republic of Tanzania.

PART I

PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS

Short title and

Commencement 1. This Act may be cited as the Access to Information Act, 2015

and shall come into operation on such date as the Minister may, by

notice published in the Gazette, appoint. Application 2.-(1) This Act shall apply to Mainland Tanzania.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsection (1), this

Act shall apply to: (a) public authorities;

(b) private bodies registered under any written law which: (i) utilize public funds; or (ii) are in possession of information which is of

significant public interest due to its relation to the

protection of human rights, environment, public


________________________________________________________________

4

health and safety, exposure of corruption or illegal

actions. Interpretation 3. In this Act, unless the context requires otherwise: Constitution means the Constitution of the United Republic; exempt information means any information, or document containing

information, withheld by the information holder in accordance

with section 6; information means any material which communicates facts, opinions,

data or any other matter relating to the management,

administration, operations or decisions of the information holder,

regardless of its form or characteristics; information holder means a public authority or a private body referred

to under section 2 (2); information officer means an officer of the information holder

appointed as such under section 8; Minister means the Minister responsible for legal affairs; personal information means information relating to an individual who

is directly or indirectly identifiable by name, identification

document or through any physical or other characteristics or

attributes, but does not include information having a bearing on

the public functions of an employee of a public authority or any

other person performing a function of a public authority; public authority means any authority that is established by or under

the Constitution, an Act of Parliament, recognized under any

written law as a public office or forms part of any level of the

Government. records include any recorded information regardless of form or

medium created, received and maintained by any information

holder in the pursuance of its legal obligations or in the

transaction of its business and providing evidence of the

performance of those obligations or that business. Objectives of

this Act 4. The objectives of this Act are to:

(a) give effect to the right of access to information by citizens as provided for by the Constitution;

(b) require information holders to proactively disclose information and provide to the public information that they

hold subject to the provisions of this Act; (c) create a framework to facilitate access to information held by


________________________________________________________________

5

information holders in compliance with any right protected by

the Constitution and any other written law; (d) promote routine and systematic information disclosure by

information holders in compliance with the principles of

accountability, transparency and public participation; and (e) provide for the protection of persons who release information

of public interest in good faith.

PART II

RIGHT OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Right to

information 5.-(1) Every person shall have the right of access to information

which is under the control of information holders. (2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), an information

holder shall:

(a) make available to the public or, on request, to any person information which is under its control; and

(b) make available to the public or, on request, to any person access to public meetings or to places where information may

be obtained. (3) For purposes of this section, person means a citizen of the

United Republic. (4) Nothing in this Act shall limit or otherwise restrict any other

legislative requirement for a public authority to disclose information. Exempt

information 6.-(1) Information requested under this Act shall be deemed to be

exempt from disclosure if the information holder who control of the

information- (a) claims an exemption under subsection (2) for all or for any

part of the information; and (b) determines, in accordance with this Act, that the disclosure is

not justified in the public interest. (2) Exempt information may be withheld if the disclosure of such

information is likely to- (a) undermine the national security of the United Republic; (b) impede due process of law or endanger safety of life of any

person; (c) undermine lawful investigations being conducted by a law

enforcements; (d) facilitate or encourage the Commision of an offence;


________________________________________________________________

6

(e) involve unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an individual, other than an applicant or a person on whose behalf an

application has been made; (f) infringe commercial interests, including intellectual property

rights of that information holder or a third party from whom

information was obtained; (g) hinder or cause substantial harm to the Government to

manage the economy; (h) significantly undermine the information holders ability to

give adequate and judicious consideration to a matter of

which no final decision has been taken and which remains the

subject of active consideration; (i) damage the information holders position in any actual or

contemplated legal proceedings, or infringe professional

privilege; or (j) significantly undermine the operations of Tanzania

Broadcasting Corporation. (3) For purposes of paragraph (a) of subsection (2), information

relating to national security includes- (a) military strategy, doctrine, capability, capacity or

deployment; (b) foreign government information with implications on

national security; (c) intelligence operations or activities, sources or information

capabilities, methods or cryptology; (d) foreign relations or foreign activities; (e) scientific, technology or economic matters relating to

national security; or (f) vulnerabilities or capabilities of systems, installations,

infrastructures, projects, plans or protection services relating

to national security. (4) Paragraphs (d) and (e) of subsection (2) shall not apply if a

request for information relates to the results of any product or

environmental testing, and the information concerned reveals a serious

public safety or environmental risk. (5) Unless the contrary is proved by the information holder,

information shall be presumed not to be exempt if the information has

been held for a period exceeding thirty years. (6) Any person who discloses exempt information withheld by

the public authority in contravention of this Act, commits an offence and


________________________________________________________________

7

shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for a term not less than

fifteen years.

PART III

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

(a) Obligation to provide information

Appointment of

information

officers

7.-(1) Every information holder shall appoint one or more

officers as information officers.

(2) An information officer shall deal with requests for

information and render assistance to a person seeking such information. Obligation to

keep information 8.-(1) Every information holder shall maintain complete records

of information that are under the control of such information holder. (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the information holder shall

maintain every record for a period of not less than thirty years after a

date on which the information is generated or a date on which such

information came under the control of the information holder. Obligation to

publish certain

information

9.-(1) Every information holder shall, not later than thirty six

months after the commencement of this Act, provide to the public the

following - (a) a description of its structure, functions, and responsibilities

including those of any of its statutory officers or advisory

committees; (b) a general description of categories of information held by

such information holder; and (c) a description of all manuals, and similar types of documents

in or under this Act. (2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the statement shall

include particulars of the officer to whom requests for official

information or particular classes of information shall be sent. (3) In complying with the provisions of this section, the

information holder shall not provide exempt information under this Act. (4) Failure by the information holder to provide information

under subsection (1) shall not prejudicially affect the right of access to

information under the control of such information holder. (5) The information holder- (a) shall, from time to time, inform the public on any substantial

changes to the information required to be published under


________________________________________________________________

8

subsection (1); and (b) may, at any time, inform the public on any other information,

in addition to information required to be published under

subsection (1), relating to its functions.

(b) Procedure for access to information

Application for

access to

information

10.-(1) A request for access to information shall be made in

writing and addressed to the information holder.

(2) The request for information shall provide sufficient details to

enable the information holder to identify the information and shall

include name and address of the person requesting the information. (3) For purposes of subsection (1), a request shall be treated as

made in writing where the text of the request- (a) is delivered by hand, postal, or transmitted by electronic

means; (b) is received in legible form; and (c) is capable of being used for subsequent reference. (4) A person requesting who, because of illiteracy or disability is

unable to make a written application for access to information, may

make a request orally, and the officer to whom the request is made shall

reduce the request into writing in the prescribed form and provide a copy

of the written request to the person requesting. Notice where

access to

information is

requested

11.-(1) Where access to information is requested, the information

holder to which the request is made shall, within thirty days after the

request is received-

(a) give written notice to the person who made the request as to whether the information exists and, if it does, whether access

to the information or a part thereof shall be given; and (b) if access is to be given, promptly give the person requesting

access to the information or a part thereof in the manner

prescribed under this Act. (2) Where the information holder requires further information in

order to identify and locate the information requested, it shall notify the

person requesting of the need for such further information within

fourteen days days of receiving the request for information and, in that

case, the period of fourteen days shall be reckoned from the date on

which such further information is received. (3) Where the information holder is satisfied that the information


________________________________________________________________

9

requested does not exist, such information holder shall inform the person

who made the request to that effect. Access to

documents other

than under this

Act

12. Nothing in this Act shall prevent the information holder from

publishing or giving access to documents, otherwise than as required by

this Act, where it has the discretion to do so or such information holder is

required by law to do so. Transfer of

request 13.-(1) Where the information holder to which a request for

information is made considers that another information holder has a

greater interest in the information requested, the information holder to

which the request was initially made may, within seven days after the

request is received, transfer the request to such other information holder

and give a written notice of the transfer to the person who made the

request. (2) For the purpose of subsection (1), the period specified in

section 11 shall apply to the information holder to which the request is

transferred with effect from the date on which the request is transferred. Refusal of

request 14.-(1) Where the information holder refuses to give access to

information requested, either in whole or in part, such information holder

shall, in writing, notify the person requesting the information of the

refusal and shall, in the notification: (a) set out reasons for the refusal and all material issues relating

to the decision, including the specific provision of this Act

and the factors taken into consideration in relation to the

public interest; (b) inform the person who made the request of the availability of

a review by the Commission for Human Rights and Good

Governance and the period within which an application for

review may be made; (c) where the decision is to the effect that the information does

not exist, state that a thorough and diligent search was made

to locate the information. (2) Where the information holder, without reasonable cause, fails

to give access to information requested within time limits set out in this

Act, the information holder shall be deemed to have refused to give

access to the information. Notice to third

parties 15.-(1) The information holder in dealing with a request for


________________________________________________________________

10

access to information shall take all reasonable steps to notify any third

party to whom or which any record containing the information requested

relates. (2) The information holder acting under subsection (1) shall

notify the third party as soon as reasonably possible and, in any event,

within eight days after the request is received. (3) Notification under subsection (2) shall:

(a) state that the information holder is in receipt of the request for access to information;

(b) describe the content of the request; (c) furnish the particulars of the the person requesting

information; and

(d) inform the third party of the obligation to provide information.

(4) The provisions of this Act relating to the request for access to

information shall apply mutatis mutandis to the third party who received

the notice under subsection (1). Deferral of

access 16.-(1) The information holder may defer the provision of access

to information until the happening of a particular event including the

taking of some action required by law or some administrative action, or

until the expiration of a specified time, where it is reasonable to do so in

the public interest or having regard to normal and proper administrative

practices. (2) Where the provision of access to information is deferred, the

information holder shall, in writing, inform the person requesting

information the reasons for such decision and the period for which the

deferment shall operate. Means of

accessing

information

17.-(1) Access to information may be provided to a person in any

of the following forms:

(a) inspection of the information; (b) provision of a copy of the information; (c) delivery of a copy of the information in electronic form; (d) in the case of an information that is an article or another thing

from which sounds or visual images are capable of being

reproduced, by making arrangements for the person to hear or

view sounds or visual images; (e) in the case of an information by which words are recorded in

a manner in which they are capable of being reproduced in


________________________________________________________________

11

the form of sound or in which words are contained in

shorthand writing or codified, by provision of a written

transcript of the words recorded or contained in the

information;

(f) in the case of a person with a sensory disability, by provision of a record in a format that allows the person to read or listen

to the record of the information. (2) Where a person who makes a request has requested access in

a particular form, access shall be given in that form. (3) Where the form of access requested: Cap. 47 (a) contravenes the provisions of the National Security Act; (b) interferes unreasonably with the operations of the information

holder; or (c) is detrimental to the preservation of the information or having

regard to the physical nature of the information it is not

appropriate; or (d) would involve an infringement of a copyright other than a

copyright owned by the Government subsisting in the

information,

access in that form may be refused and given in another form. Use of the

information 18.-(1) Information obtained by a person requesting from the

information holder shall not be for public use. (2) Any person who contravenes the provisions of subsection

(1) commits an offence and shall, upon conviction, be liable

to imprisonment for a term not less than five years.

(c) Review of decision by information holders Review of

decision 19.-(1) A person who, having made a request for information, is

aggrieved by a decision of the information holder in relation to the

request, may apply to the Commission for Human Rights and Good

Governance for review of the decision in respect of any of the

following: (a) refusal of access by the information holder to the information

requested; (b) payment of fees or charges which the person considers

unreasonable; (c) failure of the information holder to comply with time limits

set out under this Act;


________________________________________________________________

12

(d) any other matter relating to a request for or access to information made under this Act.

(2) The Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance

shall, within thirty days of receiving an application made under

subsection (1), determine such application for review in accordance with

its own laid down procedures. (3) Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Commission under

subsection (2) may, within thirty days from the date of such decision,

apply for judicial review.

PART IV

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Regulations 20. The Minister shall make regulations for the better carrying

out of the provisions of this Act.

Fees 21. The information holder from which a request for access to

information has been made may charge a prescribed fee for the provision of

the information. Offence of

alteration,

defacement,

blocking,

erasure.

22. A person who alters, defaces, blocks, erases, destroys or

conceals any information held by the information holder, with the

intention of preventing the disclosure by such information holder,

commits an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not

exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not

exceeding twelve months or to both. Protection of a

person who

makes disclosure

23.-(1) A person in the service or employment of any information

holder shall not be subject to any legal, administrative or employment

related sanctions for releasing information on wrongdoing, or

information which would disclose a serious threat to health, safety or the

environment, as long as that person acted in good faith and in the

reasonable belief that the information was substantially true. (2) For purposes of subsection (1), wrongdoing includes the

commission of a criminal offence, failure to comply with a legal

obligation, a miscarriage of justice, corruption or dishonesty, or

maladministration regarding the information holder. Protection of

officers 24. Officers in the service or employment of any information

holder shall not be subject to any civil or criminal liability for any act


________________________________________________________________

13

done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise or performance

of any power or duty under this Act.

___________

OBJECTS AND REASONS

___________

This Bill proposes for enactment of the Access to Information Act, 2015

with a view to enhancing access to information and promoting transparency and

accountability of public authorities and private bodies that are in possession of

information which is of significant public interest. Recognizing that access to

information is a right bestowed on the citizens of the United Republic of

Tanzania, the Bill intends to promote proactive publication, dissemination and

access to information by the public in furtherance of that right.

The Bill is divided into Four Parts:

Part I of the Bill contains preliminary provisions which provides for a

short title, application and interpretation of words used in the Bill.

Part II of the Bill contains provisions on the right of access to

information. Clause 5 requires information holders to provide information to

the person requesting such information while Clause 6 makes restrictions for

disclosure of certain of information with the intention, among other things, of

protecting safety of life of any person or promoting national security of the

United Republic.

Part III contains provisions on the access to information. Clause 7

provides for appointment of information officers who shall be liaison officers

for information holders on matters relating to dissemination of information.

Apart from that, Clauses 8 requires information holders to maintain and keep

record of information for a period of not less than thirty years from the date on

which such information was recorded. Clause 9 intends to impose obligation to

every information holder to publish information to the public for easy access of

such information by the public.

Moreover, Clause 13 provides for the transfer of an application for

information from one information holder to another when it becomes apparent

that the information requested for is not in the domain of the information holder

to which the application was initially made but is in the possession of another


________________________________________________________________

14

authority. Also, Clause 14 provides for procedure for information holder to

refuse to give access to information requested either in whole or in part and

inform the applicant the reasons for such refusal. Furthermore, Clause 19

provides for review of decision in respect of refusal of access to information

when a person is aggrieved with the decision of an information holder in

relation to request made to that information holder.

Part IV provides for general provisions that include powers of the

Minister to make regulations for the better carrying out the provisions of the

Bill and offences that may be committed under the proposed legislation.

Besides, this Part provides for the fees that will be charged by information

holders upon submission of the request for information.

Dar es Salaam, ASHA-ROSE M. MIGIRO

2nd

February, 2015 Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs

Sheria ya Upatikanaji wa Habari

________________________________________________________________

15

SHERIA YA UPATIKANAJI WA HABARI, 2015

MPANGILIO WA VIFUNGU

Kifungu Jina

SEHEMU YA KWANZA

MASHARTI YA AWALI

1. Jina na tarehe ya kuanza kutumika 2. Matumizi 3. Tafsiri 4. Madhumuni ya Sheria

SEHEMU YA PILI

HAKI YA KUPEWA TAARIFA

5. Haki ya taarifa 6. Taarfa zilizozuiliwa

SEHEMU YA TATU

UPATIKANAJI WA TAARIFA

(a) Wajibu wa kutoa taarifa

7. Uteuzi wa maafisa habari 8. Wajibu wa kuweka kumbukumbu 9. Wajibu wa kutangaza taarifa fulani

(b) Utaratibu wa kupata taarifa

10. Maombi ya kupata taarifa 11. Indhari pale ombi la kupewa taarifa linapowasilishwa 12. Kupata nyaraka nje ya utaratibu wa Sheria hii 13. Kuhamisha maombi 14. Kukataa ombi 15. Taarifa kwa mtu wa tatu


________________________________________________________________

16

16. Kuahirisha utoaji wa taarifa 17. Namna ya kupata taarifa 18. Matumizi ya taarifa

(c) Upitiaji wa maamuzi kwa mwenye taarifa

19. Upitiaji wa maamuzi kwa wenye taarifa

SEHEMU YA NNE

MASHARTI YA JUMLA

20. Kanuni 21. Ada 22. Kosa la kubadilisha, kuharibu, kuzuia au kufuta taarifa 23. Kinga kwa mtoa taarifa 24. Kinga kwa maafisa


________________________________________________________________

17

_______

TAARIFA

_______

Muswada huu utakaowasilishwa Bungeni umechapishwa pamoja na

madhumuni na sababu zake kwa ajili ya kutoa taarifa kwa umma.

Dar es Salaam, OMBENI Y. SEFUE

3 Februari, 2015 Katibu wa Baraza la Mawaziri

MUSWADA

wa

Sheria ya haki ya kupata habari, kuainisha wigo wa taarifa ambazo umma

unayo haki ya kupewa; kuhamasisha uwazi na uwajibikaji wa

wenye taarifa; na kuweka masharti mengine yanayohusiana nayo.

IMETUNGWA na Bunge la Jamhuri la Muungano wa Tanzania.

SEHEMU YA KWANZA

MASHARTI YA AWALI Jina na tarehe ya

kuanza kutumika 1. Sheria hii itaitwa Sheria ya Upatikanaji wa Habari,

2015 na itaanza kutumika tarehe ambayo Waziri, kupitia

Gazeti la Serikali, atatangaza. Matumizi 2.-(1) Sheria hii itatumika Tanzania Bara. (2) Bila ya kuathiri masharti ya kifungu kidogo cha (1),

Sheria hii itatumika kwa: (a) taasisi za umma; (b) taasisi binafsi zilizosajiliwa chini ya sheria yoyote

ya Bunge ambayo: (i) inatumia fedha za umma; au (ii) zina taarifa ambazo ni muhimu kwa maslahi

ya umma kutokana na uhusiano wake katika


________________________________________________________________

18

kulinda haki za binadamu, mazingira, afya

kwa umma na usalama, uibuaji wa masuala

ya rushwa au vitendo ambavyo ni kinyume

na sheria. Tafsiri 3. Katika Sheria hii, isipokuwa kama muktadha

unahitaji vinginevyo: Katiba maana yake Katiba ya Jamhuri ya Muungano; sahihisha kuhusiana na taarifa binafsi maana yake

kubadilisha taarifa kwa kusahihisha, kufuta au

kuongeza; taarifa zilizozuiliwa maana yake ni taarifa au nyaraka yenye

taarifa iliyozuiliwa na mamlaka ya umma kwa mujibu

wa kifungu cha 6; taarifa maana yake kitu chochote kinachowasilisha taarifa

dhahiri, maoni, data au jambo jingine lolote kuhusu

usimamizi, utawala, utendaji au uamuzi wa mamlaka au

mtu mwenye taarifa bila kujali aina, hadhi au sifa zake; afisa habari maana yake ni afisa wa mwenye taarifa

aliyeteuliwa katika nafasi hiyo chini ya kifungu cha 7; mwenye taarifa maana yake ni mamlaka ya umma au

mamlaka binafsi inayorejewa katika kifungu cha 7; Waziri maana yake ni Waziri mwenye dhamana na masuala

ya sheria; taarifa binafsi maana yake ni taarifa kuhusu mtu, utambuzi

wa mtu ama wa moja kwa moja au vinginevyo kwa

jina, nyaraka ya utambulisho au kupitia anwani ya

makazi au kwa sifa au tabia yake nyingine lakini

haitajumuisha taarifa inayohusu kazi za umma za

mwajiriwa wa mamlaka ya umma au mtu mwingine

yeyote anayefanya kazi ya mamlaka ya umma; mamlaka ya umma maana yake ni mamlaka yoyote

iliyoanzishwa chini ya Katiba, Sheria ya Bunge,

inayotambuliwa chini ya sheria yoyote ya Bunge kama

ofisi ya umma au inakuwa ni sehemu ya ngazi yoyote

ya Serikali; kumbukumbu inajumuisha taarifa yoyote iliyorekodiwa bila

kujali aina yake au namna ilivyotengenezwa, pokewa

na kutunzwa na mtu yeyote mwenye taarifa katika

kutekeleza wajibu wake kisheria au katika kutekeleza


________________________________________________________________

19

kazi zake na kutoa ushahidi wa utekelezaji wa wajibu

huo au kazi hizo. Madhumuni ya

Sheria 4. Madhumuni ya Sheria hii ni-

(a) kuwezesha utekelezaji wa haki ya kupata taarifa kwa raia kama ilivyoainishwa na Katiba;

(b) kuwataka wenye taarifa kutoa taarifa zozote zilizopo katika kwa himaya yao kwa umma kwa

mujibu wa Sheria hii; (c) kutengeneza mfumo utakaosaidia upatikanaji wa

taarifa zilizopo chini ya himaya ya wenye taarifa

kwa kuzingatia haki nyingine zinazolindwa na

Katiba au sheria nyingine yoyote ya Bunge; (d) kuhamasisha utaratibu wa utoaji wa taarifa wa mara

kwa mara kwa wenye taarifa kwa kuzingatia

misingi ya uwajibikaji, uwazi na ushirikishwaji wa

umma; na (e) kuweka kinga kwa watu wanaotoa kwa nia njema

taarifa zenye maslahi kwa umma.

SEHEMU YA PILI

HAKI YA KUPEWA TAARIFA Haki ya taarifa 5.-(1) Kila mtu atakuwa na haki ya kupata taariaf

zilizopo chini ya mamlaka ya wenye taarifa. (2) Kwa kuzingatia masharti ya kifungu kidogo cha

(1), kila mwenye taarifa: (a) atatoa kwa umma, au atakapoombwa, kwa mtu

yeyote taarifa ambayo iko chini ya mamlaka yake;

na (b) ataruhusu umma au, atakapoombwa, mtu yeyote

kuingia katika mkutano wa umma au katika maeneo

ambayo taarifa inaweza kupatikana. (3) Kwa madhumuni ya kifungu hizi, mtu maana

yake ni raia wa Jamhuri ya Muungano. (4) Hakuna kitu chochote katika Sheria hii

kitakachozuia au kwa namna nyingine yoyote kuwekea

kikwazo hatua yoyote ya kutunga sheria itakayoitaka mamlaka

ya umma kutoa taarifa.


________________________________________________________________

20

Taarfa

zilizozuiliwa 6.-(1) Taarifa iliyoombwa chini ya Sheria hii,

itachukuliwa kuwa imezuiwa kutolewa, ikiwa mamlaka ya

umma ambayo inasimamia taarifa hiyo- (a) inadai kuzuiwa kwa taarifa yote au sehemu yoyote

ya taarifa hiyo chini ya kifungu kidogo cha (2); (b) kuamua kwa mujibu wa Sheria hii, kwamba

kutolewa kwake si stahiki kwa maslahi ya umma. (2) Taarifa iliyozuiwa inaweza kuzuiliwa kama

utolewaji wa taarifa hiyo unaweza kupelekea- (a) kudhoofisha usalama wa Jamhuri ya Muungano; (b) kukwamisha mchakato wa sheria au unahatarisha

usalama wa maisha ya mtu yeyote; (c) kuingilia upelelezi unaofanywa na vyombo vya

uchunguzi; (d) kuwezesha au kuhamasisha kufanya kosa; (e) kuingilia faragha ya mtu bila idhini, mbali na

muombaji au mtu ambaye kwa niaba yake ombi

limefanywa; (f) kutishia maslahi ya kibiashara, ikijumuisha haki

miliki ya mtu huyo mwenye taarifa au mtu wa tatu

ambaye taarifa zimepatikana kutoka kwake; (g) kuzuia au kusababisha madhara makubwa kwa

Serikali katika kusimamia uchumi; (h) kwa uzito mkubwa kudhoofisha uwezo wa mwenye

taarifa wa kutoa angalizo stahiki kwa tatizo ambalo

hakuna maamuzi ya mwisho ambayo

yamechukuliwa na ambalo bado linahitaji

kuzingatiwa kwa kutolewa uamuzi; au (i) inaathiri nafasi ya mwenye taarifa katika hali halisi

au inayoweza kutokea katika taratibu za kisheria au

kuathiri hadhi ya taaluma. (3) Kwa madhumuni ya aya (a) ya kifungu kidogo cha

(2), taarifa inayohusiana na usalama wa taifa inajumuisha- (a) mikakati ya kijeshi, mafundisho, uwezo, nafasi au

usambazaji; (b) taarifa ya serikali ya kigeni inayohusisha usalama

wa taifa; (c) kazi za kijasusi, vyanzo, uwezo, utaratibu au usiri; (d) uhusiano wa mambo ya nje au shughuli za mambo

ya nje;


________________________________________________________________

21

(e) masuala ya kisayansi, kiteknologia au kiuchumi yanayohusiana na usalama wa taifa;

(f) udhaifu au uwezo wa mifumo, miundombinu, miradi, mipango au kulinda huduma zinazohusiana

na usalama wa taifa. (4) Aya za (d) na (e) ya kifungu kidogo cha (2),

hazitatumika iwapo ombi la taarifa linahusu matokeo yoyote ya

bidhaa au jaribio la kimazingira, na taarifa husika inabainisha

hatari kubwa ya usalama kwa umma au mazingira. (5) Isipokuwa vinginevyo imethibitishwa na mwenye

taarifa, taarifa itachukuliwa kwamba haijazuiliwa iwapo taarifa

hiyo imeshikiliwa kwa kipindi kinachozidi miaka thelathini. (6) Mtu yeyote anayetoa taarifa iliyozuiliwa chini ya

mamlaka ya umma kwa kukiuka Sheria hii, anatenda kosa, na

endapo atatiwa hatiani atatumikia kifungo kisichopungua

miaka kumi na mitano.

SEHEMU YA TATU

UPATIKANAJI WA TAARIFA

(a) Wajibu wa kutoa taarifa Uteuzi wa maafisa

habari 7.-(1) Kila mwenye taarifa atateua afisa mmoja au

zaidi kama maafisa habari.

(2) Afisa habari atahusika na maombi ya taarifa na

kutoa msaada kwa mtu anayeomba taarifa hiyo. Wajibu wa

kuweka

kumbukumbu

8.-(1) Kila mwenye taarifa atatunza kumbukumbu za

taarifa zilizokamilika ambazo ziko chini ya usimamizi wa

mwenye taarifa hiyo. (2) Kwa madhumuni ya kifungu kidogo (1), mwenye

taarifa atatunza kila kumbukumbu kwa muda usiopungua

miaka thelathini baada ya tarehe ambapo taarifa ilipatikana au

tarehe ambayo taarifa ilikuja chini ya usimamizi wa mwenye

taarifa. Wajibu wa

kutangaza taarifa

fulani

9.-(1) Kila mwenye taarifa, si zaidi ya miezi thelathini

na sita baada ya kuanza kutumika kwa sheria hii, atatoa kwa

umma- (a) maelezo juu ya aina, kazi na majukumu ikijumuisha

majukumu yoyote ya kisheria ya maafisa au kamati


________________________________________________________________

22

za ushauri; (b) maelezo ya jumla ya aina za taarifa zinazopatikana

kwa mwenye taarifa huyo; (c) maelezo ya vijarida vyote na aina nyingine za

nyaraka chini ya Sheria hii. (2) Kwa kuzingatia masharti ya kifungu kidogo cha

(1), maelezo hayo yatajumuisha taarifa za afisa ambaye taarifa

rasmi au aina maalum za taarifa zinazoombwa zitapelekwa. (3) Katika kutekeleza masharti ya kifungu hiki,

mwenye taarifa hatatoa taarifa zilizozuiliwa chini ya Sheria hii. (4) Kushindwa kwa mwenye taarifa kutoa taarifa chini

ya kifungu kidogo cha (1) haitaathiri haki ya mtu kupata taarifa

ambazo zipo chini ya mamlaka ya mwenye taarifa huyo. (5) Mwenye taarifa- (a) atatangaza mara kwa mara mabadiliko yoyote ya

msingi ya taarifa yanayotakiwa kutangazwa chini

ya kifungu kidogo cha (1); na (b) anaweza, wakati wowote, kuutaarifu umma kwa

taarifa yoyote, mbali ya taarifa inayotakiwa

kutangazwa chini ya kifungu kidogo cha (1),

kuhusiana na kazi zake.

(b) Utaratibu wa kupata taarifa Maombi ya kupata

taarifa 10.-(1) Ombi la kupata taarifa litafanywa kimaandishi

na kupelekwa kwa mwenye taarifa. (2) Ombi la taarifa litatoa maelezo ya kutosha

kumwezesha mwenye taarifa kuitambua taarifa inayoombwa na

itajumuisha jina na anwani ya mtu anayeomba taarifa. (3) Kwa madhumuni ya kifungu kidogo cha (1), ombi

litachukuliwa kuwa limefanywa kimaandishi, iwapo karatasi ya

ombi- (a) imepokelewa kwa mkono, kwa njia ya posta au

kuwasilishwa kwa njia ya elektroniki; (b) imepokelewa katika utaratibu maalum; na (c) inaweza kutumika kama rejea zinazofuata. (4) Mtu anayehitaji taarifa ambaye, kwa sababu ya

kutokujua kusoma au ulemavu anashindwa kutuma maombi ya

kupata taarifa, anaweza kufanya maombi kwa mdomo na afisa

ambaye ombi limefanywa kwake, ataliweka ombi hilo katika


________________________________________________________________

23

maandishi katika fomu maalum na kutoa nakala ya maandishi

kwa muombaji. Indhari pale ombi

la kupewa taarifa

linapowasilishwa

11.-(1) Endapo mtu anaomba kupata taarifa, mwenye

taarifa ambaye ombi limefanywa kwake atatakiwa, ndani ya

siku thelathini baada ya kupokea ombi- (a) kutoa taarifa ya kimaandishi kwa mtu aliyetuma

ombi, iwapo kama taarifa ipo, na kama ipo, iwapo

anaweza kuipata taarifa au sehemu ya taarifa hiyo;

na (b) iwapo upatikanaji wa taarifa utaruhusiwa, mara

moja kumpatia mtu aliyeomba, taarifa au sehemu ya

taarifa kwa namna ambavyo imeainishwa chini ya

Sheria hii. (2) Endapo mwenye taarifa anahitaji taarifa nyingine

kwa ajili ya kutambua na kuelekeza taarifa iliyoombwa,

atamtaarifu muombaji juu ya hitaji hilo la taarifa nyingine

ndani ya siku kumi na nne za kupokea ombi la taarifa na, kwa

jinsi hiyo kipindi cha siku kumi na nne kitachukuliwa kuwa

kimeanza siku ambayo taarifa nyingine imepokelewa. (3) Endapo mwenye taarifa ataridhika kwamba taarifa

inayohitajiwa haipo, mwenye taarifa huyo atamtaarifu mtu

huyo ambaye amefanya maombi hayo kuwa taarifa hiyo haipo. Kupata nyaraka

nje ya utaratibu

wa Sheria hii

12. Hakuna katika Sheria hii kitakachozuia mwenye

taarifa kuchapisha au kuruhusu nyaraka kupatikana vinginevyo

ya inavyohitajiwa na Sheria hii, iwapo ina hiyari ya kufanya

hivyo au mwenye taarifa huyo anatakiwa kufanya hivyo na

sheria. Kuhamisha

maombi 13.-(1) Endapo mwenye taarifa ambaye ombi la taarifa

limepelekwa kwake anaona kuwa mwenye taarifa mwingine

ana maslahi makubwa kwenye taarifa iliyoombwa, mwenye

taarifa ambaye ombi lilifanywa mwanzo, anaweza, ndani ya

siku saba baada ya ombi kupokelewa, kuhamisha ombi kwa

mwenye taarifa mwingine na kutoa taarifa ya kimaandishi ya

kuhamisha ombi kwa mtu aliyefanya ombi. (2) Kwa madhumuni ya kifungu kidogo cha (1), muda

uliotajwa katika kifungu cha 11 utatumika kwa mwenye taarifa

ambaye ombi limehamishwa kwake kuanzia tarehe ambayo


________________________________________________________________

24

ombi limehamishiwa. Kukataa ombi 14.-(1) Endapo mwenye taarifa anakataa kutoa taarifa

iliyoombwa, iwe ni taarifa yote au sehemu ya taarifa, mwenye

taarifa huyo kimaandishi atamtaarifu mtu aliyeomba taarifa juu

ya kukataa na katika taarifa hiyo- (a) atatoa sababu ya kukataa na masuala yote

yanayohusu uamuzi, ikiwemo masharti husika ya

Sheria hii na sababu zilizozingatiwa katika kulinda

maslahi ya umma; (b) atamtaarifu mtu aliyetuma maombi juu ya

uwezekano wa kufanya mapitio kwenye Tume ya

Haki za Binadamu na Utawala Bora na kipindi

ambacho ombi la kupitia upya linaweza kufanywa. (2) Endapo mwenye taarifa bila ya sababu za msingi,

anashindwa kutoa taarifa iliyoombwa ndani ya muda

uliowekwa na Sheria hii, mwenye taarifa huyo atachukuliwa

kuwa amekataa kutoa taarifa hiyo. Taarifa kwa mtu

wa tatu 15.-(1) Katika kushughulikia ombi la kupata taarifa,

mwenye taarifa atachukua hatua zote za msingi za kumuarifu

mtu wa tatu ambaye kumbukumbu yoyote ya taarifa

iliyoombwa inamhusu. (2) Mwenye taarifa anayehusika katika kifungu kidogo

cha (1), atamtaarifu mtu wa tatu haraka iwezekanavyo na,

katika hali yoyote ile atafanya hivyo ndani ya siku nane baada

ya ombi kupokelewa. (3) Taarifa katika kifungu kidogo cha (2)- (a) itaelezea kwamba mwenye taarifa amepokea ombi

hilo; (b) ataelekeza kilichomo katika ombi hilo; (c) atatoa taarifa za mtu aliyeleta ombi; na (d) kumtaarifu mtu wa tatu wajibu wake wa kutoa

taarifa. Kuahirisha utoaji

wa taarifa 16.-(1) Mwenye taarifa ambaye amepata ombi anaweza

kuahirisha kutoa taarifa husika mpaka linapotokea tukio

maalum likiwemo kuchukua hatua za kisheria au kiutawala, au

mpaka kuisha kwa muda uliyowekwa, iwapo ni muhimu

kufanya hivyo kwa maslahi ya umma au kwa kuzingatia


________________________________________________________________

25

taratibu za kawaida na sahihi za kiutawala. (2) Endapo masharti ya upatikanaji wa taarifa

yameahirishwa, mwenye taarifa, atamtaarifu mwombaji sababu

ya uamuzi huo na muda ambao uhairishwaji huo umefanywa. Namna ya kupata

taarifa 17.-(1) Upatikanaji wa taarifa unaweza kufanywa kwa

mtu katika moja ya njia zifuatazo:

(a) fursa ya kukagua taarifa; (b) utoaji wa nakala ya taarifa; (c) utoaji wa nakala ya taarifa kwa njia ya eletroniki; (d) iwapo taarifa ni kifaa au kitu kingine ambacho ni

sauti au muonekano wenye uwezo wa kuonyeshwa,

kuweka utaratibu kwa mtu husika kusikia au

kusikiliza sauti au kuona taarifa hiyo; au (e) kama ni taarifa ambayo maneno yanarekodiwa kwa

namna ambayo inaweza kutolewa kwa namna ya

sauti au ambapo yako katika hati mkato au katika

mpangilio wa namba, kwa kutoa maneno

yaliyorekodiwa au yaliyomo katika taarifa hiyo; (f) kwa mtu mwenye ulemavu wa kuona au kiziwi,

kwa kutoa taarifa hiyo katika mfumo au utaratibu

utakaoruhusu mtu huyo kuweza kusoma au

kusikiliza rekodi ya taarifa hiyo. (2) Endapo mtu ambaye amefanya ombi anataka taarifa

katika namna maalum, upatikanaji wa taarifa utatolewa kwa

namna hiyo. (3) Endapo aina ya kupata taarifa inayoombwa: Sura ya 475 (a) inakiuka masharti ya Sheria ya Usalama wa Taifa; (b) inaingilia bila sababu za msingi shughuli za

mwenye taarifa; (c) inaharibu utunzaji wa taarifa au kwa kuzingatia hali

halisi ya taarifa, sio sahihi; (d) inaweza ikaathiri hakimiliki mbali ya hakimiliki

inayomilikiwa na Serikali iliyomo katika taarifa, upatikanaji wa taarifa katika aina hiyo unaweza kukataliwa na

kutolewa katika aina nyingine. Matumizi ya

taarifa 18.-(1) Taarifa iliyotolewa kwa mtu aliyeiomba kutoka

kwa mwenye taarifa haitatolewa kwa umma. (2) Mtu yeyote anayekiuka masharti ya kifungu kidogo


________________________________________________________________

26

cha (2) anatenda kosa na akitiwa hatiani atatumikia kifungo

kwa kipindi kisichopungua miaka mitano.

(c) Upitiaji wa maamuzi kwa mwenye taarifa Upitiaji wa

maamuzi kwa

wenye taarifa

19.-(1) Mtu ambaye amefanya ombi kwa ajili ya

kupata taarifa anaweza, iwapo hajaridhishwa na uamuzi wa

mwenye taarifa kuhusu ombi lake, kutuma maombi ya mapitio

kwenye Tume ya Haki za Binadamu na Utawala Bora

kuhusiana na chochote kati ya vifuatavyo-

(a) kukataa kwa mwenye taarifa kupata taarifa iliyoombwa;

(b) malipo ya ada au tozo ambazo mtu huyo anaona si za msingi;

(c) kushindwa kwa mwenye taarifa kufuata muda uliowekwa chini ya Sheria hii;

(d) suala jingine lolote lialohusu ombi la au kupata taarifa chini ya Sheria hii.

(2) Tume ya Haki za Binadamu na Utawala Bora,

ndani ya siku thelathini za kupokea maombi yaliyofanywa

chini ya kifungu kidogo cha (1), itaamua maombi hayo ya

mapitio kwa kuzingatia taratibu ilizojiwekea. (3) Upande wowote ambao hautaridhishwa na uamuzi

wa Tume, chini ya kifungu kidogo cha (2) unaweza, ndani ya

siku thelathini tangu siku ya kupitisha uamuzi huo, kuomba

mapitio ya mahakama.

SEHEMU YA NNE

MASHARTI YA JUMLA Kanuni 20. Waziri anaweza kutengeneza kanuni kwa ajili ya

utekelezaji bora wa masharti ya Sheria hii. Ada 21. Mwenye taarifa ambaye maombi ya kupata taarifa

yatatumwa kwake anaweza kutoza ada iliyowekwa kwa ajili ya

kutoa taarifa hiyo. Kosa la

kubadilisha,

kuharibu, kuzuia

au kufuta taarifa

22. Mtu yeyote ambaye anabadili, anafuta maandishi

yasisomeke, anazuia, anafuta, anaharibu au anaficha

kumbukumbu zozote zinazoshikiliwa na mwenye taarifa kwa


________________________________________________________________

27

dhamira ya kuzuia upatikanaji wa taarifa kwa mwenye taarifa

huyo, anatenda kosa na akitiwa hatiani atatozwa faini isiyozidi

shilingi milioni tano au kifungo kisichozidi miezi kumi na

mbili au vyote kwa pamoja. Kinga kwa mtoa

taarifa 23.-(1) Mtu aliye katika huduma au ajira ya mwenye

taarifa yeyote hatachukuliwa hatua ya kisheria, utawala au

inayohusiana na ajira kwa kutoa taarifa inayohusu utendaji wa

makosa au taarifa itakayoweka bayana tishio la hatari kwa

afya, usalama au mazingira, iwapo tu mtu huyo amefanya

hiivyo kwa nia njema na kuamini kwa dhati kuwa taarifa hiyo

ilikuwa ni ya kweli. (2) Kwa madhumuni ya kifungu kidogo cha (2),

utendaji wa makosa inajumuisha utendaji wa kosa la jinai,

kushindwa kutekeleza wajibu uliyowekwa kisheria, uvunjaji

wa sheria, rushwa, udanganyifu, usimamizi au utawala mbaya

wa mwenye taarifa. Kinga kwa

maafisa 24. Maafisa waliyo katika huduma au ajira ya mwenye

taarifa hawatawajibika kwa jinai au madai kwa kitendo

chochote kilichofanywa au kutofanywa kwa nia njema katika

kutekeleza mamlaka au, jukumu lolote chini ya Sheria hii.

____________

MADHUMUNI NA SABABU

___________

Muswada huu unapendekeza kutungwa Sheria ya Upatikanaji wa

Habari, 2015, kwa lengo la kuwezesha upatikanaji wa taarifa zilizopo chini ya

himaya Wizara za Serikali na baadhi ya taasisi ambazo zinatekeleza majukumu

yake kwa manufaa ya umma. Muswada huu unatambua haki ya Kikatiba ya

Watanzania kupata taarifa, hivyo unapendekeza masharti yanayolenga

kuhamasisha Wizara, taasisi na mamlaka mbalimbali kutoa na kusambaza

taarifa kwa wananchi wote. Kwa kutambua umuhimu wa haki hii ya kikatiba,

Muswada unapendekeza utaratibu wa wananchi kupata taarifa pia unaondoa

vizuizi vyovyote katika upatikanaji wa taarifa. Msingi wa mapendekezo haya ni

kurahisisha upatikanaji wa taarifa kwa wananchi ambao ndiyo msingi mkuu wa

demokrasia na utawala bora.


________________________________________________________________

28

Muswada huu umegawanyika katika sehemu Kuu Nne.

Sehemu ya Kwanza inahusu masuala ya awali yanayojumuisha jina la

Sheria inayopendekezwa, matumizi na tafsiri ya maneno yaliyotumika katika

Muswada.

Sehemu ya Pili ya Muswada inahusu haki ya kupata habari. Ibara ya 5

inaainisha masharti yanayowataka wenye taarifa kutoa taarifa kwa mtu

anayeomba taarifa hiyo ambapo kifungu cha 6 kinazuia utoaji wa taarifa fulani

kwa dhamira ya pamoja na mambo mengine, kulinda usalama wa maisha ya

mtu au kuendeleza usalama wa Jamhuri ya Muungano.

Sehemu ya Tatu inaainisha masharti ya upatikanaji wa taarifa. Ibara ya

7 inapendekeza masharti juu ya uteuzi wa maafisa habari wa Wizara na taasisi

nyingine za umma na wananchi ambao watakuwa maafisa uhusiano wa wenye

taarifa katika masuala ya utoaji taarifa. Mbali ya hayo, ibara ya 8 inaainisha

masharti juu ya wajibu wa Wizara na taasisi nyingine kutunza kumbukumbu

kwa kipindi kisichopungua miaka thelathini tangu siku kumbukumbu hiyo

ilipoanza kutunzwa. Ibara ya 9 inakusudia kutoa jukumu kwa kila mwenye

taarifa kusambaza taarifa hizo kwa umma.

Vile vile, Ibara ya 13 inaainisha masharti yanayohusu uhamishaji wa

maombi ya taarifa toka kwa mwenye taarifa mmoja kwenda kwa mwingine

itakapoonekana kuwa taarifa iliyoombwa haiko katika himaya ya mwenye

taarifa aliyeombwa awali. Ibara ya 14 inaweka utaratibu wa mwenye taarifa

kukataa kutoa taarifa ama yote au sehemu yake na kumfahamisha mtu

aliyeomba sababu za kufanya hivyo. Ibara ya 19 inaweka masharti yanayohusu

mapitio ya maamuzi ya kukataa kutoa taarifa iwapo aliyeomba hataridhishwa

na uamuzi wa mwenye taarifa kuhusiana na maombi yaliyofanywa.

Sehemu ya Nne inahusu masharti ya jumla ikijumuisha mamlaka ya

Waziri kutengeneza kanuni kwa ajili ya utekelezaji wa masharti ya Sheria

inayopendekezwa pamoja na makosa yanayoweza kutendwa chini ya Sheria

inayopendekezwa. Ibara ya 21 inahusu gharama za upatikanaji wa habari

wakati wa kuwasilisha maombi. Vile vile, Sehemu hii ina masharti yanayohusu

ada itakayotozwa na mwenye taarifa atakapotoa taarifa iliyoombwa.

Dar es Salaam, ASHA-ROSE M. MIGIRO

2 Februari, 2015 Waziri wa Katiba na Sheria

Documents

Tanzania Access to Information Bill, 2015